Has any politician been more influential over the past eight months than U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Carpal-tunnel-inducing Twitter rants and liberal fan-fiction policy proclamations aside, Ocasio-Cortez seems to have touched off a revolution among progressive Democrats across the country. In Colorado, Crisanta Duran appears to have picked up the banner and begun marching. Her shock […]
Mario Nicolais
Special to The Colorado Sun
Twitter: @MarioNicolaiEsq
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: By finally passing Jude’s Law, Colorado grows up a little
Jude’s Law will soon be Colorado law. The bill to modernize the process for birth certificate gender changes has already passed the state House. It looks primed for a warm reception in the state Senate before it eventually lands on the desk of Colorado’s first LGBT governor. That should bring a well-earned smile to the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Amendment 41 just became the vogue avenue for political attacks in Colorado
Colorado voters passed Amendment 41 hoping to combat corruption. A little over a decade later, political operatives have weaponized the law by using complaints to inflict electoral damage. Headed into his re-election efforts last year, former Secretary of State Wayne Williams faced a strong challenge from a hard-charging opponent. Given the toxic electoral environment every […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: A proposed law closing loopholes for electioneering communications is a step in the right direction
Political junkies and campaign operatives look poised to celebrate a new law set to take effect before the 2020 election cycle. Under a proposed bipartisan change to Colorado’s campaign finance rule, the window for disclosing money spent on electioneering communications will be expanded to cover the entire period between the state’s primary and general elections. […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Providing more legal resources to protect animals could help reduce crime against people
Fido and Frisky may enjoy a little more protection in Colorado under a bill recently proposed in the state house. Not only would the bill bar anyone convicted of criminal cruelty to animals from owning an animal for a set period of years, but it also gives judges leeway to order mental health treatment for […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Martinez decision demonstrates Colorado’s Supreme Court commitment to judicial discipline
The Colorado Supreme Court sent shockwaves through various industry, environmental and political circles when it issued an opinion in COGCC v. Martinez last week. While the outcome of the decision certainly sparked multiple reactions and set the stage for an epic legislative policy battle, the rationale and reasoning behind the court’s opinion drew scant review. Coloradans […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: The tyranny of the national majority
I assume state Sen. Mike Foote and state Reps. Emily Sirota and Jeni Arndt don’t like President Donald Trump. More specifically, they really don’t like National-Popular-Vote-Loser Donald Trump sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the White House. To ensure the same scenario doesn’t repeat itself in the future, the three legislators sponsored a bill that […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Will Colorado Democrats come out swinging in 2019?
Christmas comes a little late for Colorado political junkies. Somewhere between a week or two after the traditional holiday, the Colorado legislative session starts. There are bills to be unwrapped under the Capitol dome and hurried excitement of legislators and lobbyists alike rushing across the marble floors. There is even a regular Legislative Session Eve […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Gardner must hope the new year brings a new Colorado GOP
The New Year cannot arrive fast enough for the Colorado GOP. The big question is whether the new year will usher in a new Republican Party or if we are destined to see more of the same in 2019 and beyond. Last year, Republican suffering culminated with devastating losses across Colorado on Election Day. The […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Don’t be upset if I wish you a Merry Christmas
It might not be politically correct, but there is a reason it means a lot to me Every year I am bound to wish someone a Merry Christmas and receive a chilly glare in return. The kind of glare that comes from a place of deep judgment and snickering disdain. While I’ve been known to […]